EX-ENGLAND rugby captain and World Cup winner Martin Corry took a trip back to the birthplace of the game – to reopen a world-famous museum.

The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum, in Rugby town centre, has just been redeveloped.

The former Leicester flanker enjoyed a trip down memory lane as he browsed the collection of rugby memorabilia in the town that gave the game its name.

The museum is housed in a building in St Matthew’s Street museum where William Gilbert first started making rugby balls in 1842.

It was Rugby School pupil William Webb Ellis who famously picked up the ball and ran with it during a game of football in 1823.

Mr Corry said: “It gives me great pleasure to be here at this special occasion of the relaunch of the rugby museum.

“Although I’m recently retired, rugby has been really kind to me and I have got so much out of it.”

The museum was redeveloped with the help of an award-winning design group with the intention of bringing the display into the 21st century.

Changes have been made while preserving the historical atmosphere.

Ball-stitcher John Bachelor took up the skill, making rugby footballs in the workshop since 1948. He signed a rugby football along with Mr Corry and Mayor of Rugby Coun Karen Kaur, and the ball will become the latest addition to the unique collection.

The Webb family which owns the special collection says the new look museum is a fitting way to showcase the sporting artefacts.

Lawrence Webb, managing director of Webb Ellis Ltd, said: “We are over the moon with the quality of this refurbishment and believe Rugby Council has done a fantastic job.

“The museum has been a little bit tired and crammed full with rugby memorabilia.

“It is a free for visitors and deserves its international reputation.”

After a browse of the new museum, guests went to the nearby Merchants Inn pub to try their guest ale for the occasion – aptly named the Ball Stitcher.

Martin Corry attended the official opening on behalf of the Wooden Spoon charity, which supports disabled children throughout the UK.